The 38-year-old singer, fresh off a lauded stint hosting the Grammys last month, delivered an empowering speech emphasizing self-acceptance and individuality as she was honored with the iHeartRadio Innovator Award at the sixth annual iHeartRadio Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

The Manhattan native, whose real name is Alicia Augello Cook, received the honors for her contributions to pop culture and social causes as an artist, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and activist, iHeartRadio said. She joins esteemed company including Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams, U2, Justin Timberlake, and Chance The Rapper in receiving the honors.

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The latest: Alicia Keys, 38, delivered an empowering speech emphasizing self-acceptance and individuality as she was honored with the iHeartRadio Innovator Award at the sixth annual iHeartRadio Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday night

She was presented with the honors by Jamie Foxx, who said that 'being an innovator isn't about what you do, it's about who you are, and Alicia Keys is everything.'

The Empire State of Mind songstress said that 'it means so much to be honored as an innovator' at the show, which she said had 'a powerful beautiful energy' with 'so many amazing artists' in attendance.

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She opened up about how meaningful the award was amid the resistance she faced in her early days as a young artist in the Big Apple.

'I got to be honest with you,' she said. 'It means so much to be honored as an innovator because when I first started out, nobody was like, "Look at that tomboy from Hell's Kitchen who graduated high school at 15, the one with the braids, who seems obsessed with her broken down piano … what a fantastic innovator she is" - nobody said that.'

Beaming: The Empire State of Mind songstress said the show had 'a powerful beautiful energy' with 'so many amazing artists' in attendance

Any given Thursday: Jamie Foxx, introducing Keys, said 'being an innovator isn't about what you do, it's about who you are, and Alicia Keys is everything'

Long time coming: Keys in her speech opened up about how meaningful the award was amid the resistance she faced in her early days as a young artist in the Big Apple

Appreciative: The R&B stalwart blew kisses to the crowd after getting the award

She continued, 'It was like, "Who is that? What is she doing? What is she wearing?" I'm telling you ... even when I first got signed, it wasn't about, "What new ideas and sounds can Alicia bring?" It was more like, "How do we make her fit into this mold?" and I think that's what a lot of people experience in life.'

Keys said she studied ‭iconic artists like Nina Simone, Sade and John Lennon and found a common denominator: 'I realized that there was nobody else like them on the planet.'

'I looked inside my heart and realized I am here to do me and we are here to do us,' the If I Ain't Got You performer told the crowd. 'All we can think about is how to be liked and how to be accepted and we contort ourselves and change ourselves and starve ourselves and abuse ourselves and hate ourselves and instead, all we have to do is love who we are, appreciate our individuality and embrace what makes us unique.'

Student of the game: Keys said she studied ‭iconic artists like Nina Simone, Sade and John Lennon in her earlier years, inspiring her to resist conformity

Girl on fire: Alicia has been an outspoken advocate for a number of social causes

Beautiful moment: Keys she performed her new single Raise a Man, with her eight-year-old son Egypt joining her on the piano

The Grammy winner noted that 'in the end, you're remembered because you're different - because you're special.'

Keys said she's in a great place, and implored others to embrace who they are.

'I'm finally more myself than I've ever been,' she said, 'and even though it's a constant process, I encourage you to continue to find the power and the beauty and the unique story in your own journey.'

Keys also made for a memorable moment at the show when she performed her new single Raise a Man, with her eight-year-old son Egypt joining her on the piano. She's also mom to a son named Genesis, four, with her husband Swizz Beatz, 40.

iHeartRadio Awards 2019 Winners

Tour of the Year

WINNER: Taylor Swift, Reputation Stadium Tour

Adding to her collection: Taylor Swift won Tour Of The Year before the event

Artist of the Decade

WINNER: Garth Brooks

iHeartRadio Innovator Award

WINNER: Alicia Keys

Fangirls Award

WINNER: Halsey

Most Thumbed-Up Artist of the Year

WINNER: Imagine Dragons

Song of the Year

"Better Now," Post Malone

"Girls Like You," Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B

"God's Plan," Drake

"Perfect," Ed Sheeran

WINNER: "The Middle," Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

Female Artist of the Year

WINNER: Ariana Grande

Camila Cabello

Cardi B

Dua Lipa

Halsey

Thank U, Next: Ariana Grandeis a favorite for Female Artist Of The Year

Male Artist of the Year

Winner: Drake

Ed Sheeran

Kendrick Lamar

Post Malone

Shawn Mendes

Best Duo/Group of the Year

WINNER: 5 Seconds of Summer

Imagine Dragons

Maroon 5

Panic! At The disco

twenty one pilots

Best Collaboration

WINNER: "Finesse (Remix)," Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B

"Girls Like You," Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B

"I Like It," Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin

"Meant to Be," Bebe Rexha Featuring Florida Georgia Line

"The Middle," Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

Best New Pop Artist

Bazzi

Lauv

WINNER: Marshmello

MAX

NF

Alternative Rock Song of the Year

"Africa," Weezer

"Broken," lovelytheband

"Happier," Marshemllo featuring Bastille

WINNER: "High Hopes," Panic! At The Disco

"Natural," Imagine Dragons

Say It Ain't So: Weezer is nominated for Alternative Rock Song of the Year

Alternative Rock Artist of the Year

Imagine Dragons

WINNER: lovelytheband

Panic! At The Disco

Portugal. The Man

Thirty Seconds to Mars

Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist

AJR

Badflower

WINNER: Billie Eilish

lovelytheband

Two Feet

Rock Song of the Year

"Are You Ready," Disturbed

"Bulletproof," Godsmack

"Devil," Shinedown

WINNER: "Safari Song," Greta Van Fleet

"Zombie," Bad Wolves

Rock Artist of the Year

Five Finger Death Punch

Godsmack

Greta Van Fleet

Shinedown

WINNER: Three Days Grace

Country Song of the Year

"Heaven," Kane Brown

WINNER: "Meant to Be," Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line

"Most People Are Good," Luke Bryan

"Rich," Maren Morris

"Tequila," Dan + Shay

Country Artist of the Year

Carrie Underwood

Jason Aldean

Luke Bryan

WINNER: Luke Combs

Thomas Rhett

Gold standard: Carrie Underwood is nominated for Country Artist of the Year

Best New Country Artist

Carly Pearce

Dylon Scott

WINNER: Jordan Davis

LANCO

Russell Dickerson

Dance Song of the Year

"Friends," Marshmello and Anne-Marie

"Happier," Marshmello featuring Bastille

"One Kiss," Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa

"Remind Me to Forget," Kygo featuring Miguel

WINNER: "The Middle," Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

Dance Artist of the Year

Calvin Harris

Kygo

WINNER: Marshmello

The Chainsmokers

Zedd

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

WINNER: "God's Plan," Drake

"I Like It, Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin

"In My Feelings," Drake

"Nice for What," Drake

"Psycho," Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

WINNER: Cardi B

Drake

Kendrick Lamar

Post Malone

Travis Scott

Money: Cardi B will be vying for the coveted Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

Best New Hip-Hop Artist

WINNER: BlocBoy JB

Juice WRLD

Lil Baby

Lil Pump

XXXTENTACION

R&B Song of the Year

WINNER: "Boo'd Up," Ella Mai

"Finesse (Remix)," Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B

"Medicine," Queen Naija

"Sky Walker," Miguel featuring Travis Scott

"When We," Tank

R&B Artist of the Year

Daniel Caesar

WINNER: Ella Mai

H.E.R.

Miguel

SZA

Love Galore: Sza face heavy competition for R&B Artist of the Year

Best New R&B Artist

Brent Faiyaz

WINNER: Ella Mai

H.E.R.

Queen Naija

TK Kravitz

Latin Song of the Year

"Clandestino," Shakira featuring Maluma

"Dura," Daddy Yankee

"Echame La Culpa," Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato

"Me Niego," Reik featuring Ozuna and Wisin

WINNER: "X," Nicky Jam and J Balvin

Latin Artist of the Year

WINNER: Bad Bunny

Daddy Yankee

J Balvin

Maluma

Ozuna

Best New Latin Artist

Lele Pons

WINNER: Manuel Turizo

Mau y Ricky

Nio Garcia

Raymix

Regional Mexican Song of the Year

"Entre Beso y Beso," La Arrolladora Banda El Limón

"Me Dejé Llevar," Christian Nodal

"Mejor Me Alejo," Banda MS

"Mi Sorpresa Fuiste Tú," Calibre 50

WINNER: "Mitad Y Mitad," Calibre 50

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year

Banda Carnaval

Banda sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga

WINNER: Calibre 50

Christian Nodal

Gerardo Ortiz

Producer of the Year

David Garcia

Franke Dukes

Louis Bell

WINNER: Marshmello

Noah "40" Shebib

Best Lyrics (Socially Voted Category)

WINNER: "Consequences," Camila Cabello

"Girls Like You," Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B

"God's Plan," Drake

"In My Blood," Shawn Mendes

"thank u, next," Ariana Grande

"Without Me," Halsey

Sending a message: Halsey is up for social media voted category Best Lyrics